I have been to all Canadian provinces and territories, except PEI and Newfoundland. So it is high time to visit these gems. Now that I work in the industry, this is a perfect chance to document my trip planning – the good, the bad and the ugly. I will update this post as the planning progresses.

1. Where to go. Trying to look on a map to see what is feasible. Bad: Online maps are frustrating. Maps are either too small for details, or too large to show relations between provinces. Even Google maps is bad for planning, as it doesn’t show the ferry routes until you zoom in too far. The best map yet: my large Canada map at my desk in the office. It has all the major roads, all the major ferry routes, and shows very well how far destinations are from eachother. Conclusion: paper maps are still the best planning tools.

2. A colleague suggested to order the travel guides for each of the provinces. Immediately ordered a package from PEI, Nova Scotia, Newfoundland, and New Brunswick. Good: The first three had great order forms, with selections for which guides I wanted, and if I wanted a map (yes, please!!). New Brunswick was OK, but no options as to what to order, and a more convoluted entry form. It took less than a minute to complete each of the forms, very efficient. Let’s see how long it takes to get the information.

Excellent: PEI immediately sent me a follow-up email with a password to log in and sign up for further newsletter. Nice touch – now I know their form worked.

Quebec is promoting cycling in the province, in a serious way. On August 10th they’re opening the Route Verte, a series of cycling trails totalling 4,000km (!). They run from one end of the province to the other, and even take in the Iles de la Madeleine. Not all sections are complete, but when done, it will be the second-longest cycling trail in North America. Of course, the Trans-Canada trail, at 18,000km, will be even longer when it is done. But for one province, 4,000km of cycling trails ain’t bad.